ARCHIVE // CL // 2014
Chile
2014 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Broadcast media
[time series]
national and local terrestrial TV channels, coupled with extensive cable TV networks; the state-owned Television Nacional de Chile (TVN) network is self financed through commercial advertising revenues and is not under direct government control; large number of privately owned TV stations; about 250 radio stations (2007)
Internet country code
[time series]
.cl
Internet users
(Internet hosts)
[time series]
2.152 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 38
Internet users
[time series]
7.009 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 39
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: privatization began in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations domestic: number of fixed-line connections have stagnated in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching 130 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 56; landing points for the Pan American, South America-1, and South American Crossing/Latin America Nautilus submarine cables providing links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
Telephones - fixed lines
(Telephones - main lines in use)
[time series]
3.276 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 48
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
24.13 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 44
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $58.49 billion expenditures: $61.26 billion (2013 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
[time series]
-1% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Central bank discount rate
[time series]
3.12% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 0.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
[time series]
9.5% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 10.06% (31 December 2012 est.)
Current account balance
[time series]
-$10.97 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 -$9.499 billion (2012 est.)
Debt - external
[time series]
$119 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $112.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
(Distribution of family income - Gini index)
[time series]
52.1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 14 57.1 (2000)
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports of goods and services account for approximately one-third of GDP, with commodities making up some three-quarters of total exports. Copper alone provides 19% of government revenue. From 2003 through 2013, real growth averaged almost 5% per year, despite the slight contraction in 2009 that resulted from the global financial crisis. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile has 22 trade agreements covering 60 countries including agreements with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. Chile has joined the United States and nine other countries in negotiating the Trans-Pacific-Partnership trade agreement. The Chilean Government has generally followed a countercyclical fiscal policy, accumulating surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and generally allowing deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of 31 December 2012, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $20.9 billion. Chile used these funds to finance fiscal stimulus packages during the 2009 economic downturn. In May 2010 Chile signed the OECD Convention, becoming the first South American country to join the OECD.
Exchange rates
[time series]
Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 491.7 (2013 est.) 486.49 (2012 est.) 510.25 (2010 est.) 560.86 (2009) 509.02 (2008)
Exports
[time series]
$77.94 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $78.28 billion (2012 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
Exports - partners
[time series]
China 23.3%, US 12.3%, Japan 10.7%, South Korea 5.8%, Brazil 5.5% (2012)
Fiscal year
[time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$281.7 billion (2013 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP (purchasing power parity))
[time series]
$335.4 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $321.3 billion (2012 est.) $304.2 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use
[time series]
household consumption: 63.2% government consumption: 12% investment in fixed capital: 25% investment in inventories: 0.6% exports of goods and services: 32.7% imports of goods and services: -33.5% (2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 3.6% industry: 35.4% services: 61% (2013 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita (PPP))
[time series]
$19,100 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $18,500 (2012 est.) $17,600 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
4.4% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 5.6% (2012 est.) 5.8% (2011 est.)
Gross national saving
[time series]
20.8% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 21.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 22.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 42.8% (2009 est.)
Imports
[time series]
$75.7 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $74.86 billion (2012 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas
Imports - partners
[time series]
US 22.9%, China 18.2%, Argentina 6.6%, Brazil 6.5% (2012)
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Industries
[time series]
copper, lithium, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
1.7% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 3% (2012 est.)
Labor force
[time series]
8.367 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture: 13.2% industry: 23% services: 63.9% (2005)
Market value of publicly traded shares
[time series]
$313.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $270.3 billion (31 December 2011) $341.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
15.1% (2009 est.)
Public debt
[time series]
13.9% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 11.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
[time series]
$39.89 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $41.65 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of broad money
[time series]
$159 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $150.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
[time series]
$109.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $91.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
[time series]
$214.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $NA (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
[time series]
$214 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $202.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money
[time series]
$41.61 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $40.95 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
20.8% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Unemployment rate
[time series]
6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 6.3% (2012 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
(Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy)
[time series]
80.1 million Mt (2011 est.)
Crude oil - exports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Crude oil - imports
[time series]
169,700 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Crude oil - production
[time series]
17,340 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Crude oil - proved reserves
[time series]
150 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
53.93 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - from fossil fuels
[time series]
62% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
[time series]
33.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
[time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - from other renewable sources
[time series]
4.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - imports
[time series]
734 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - installed generating capacity
[time series]
16.21 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - production
[time series]
62.86 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - consumption
[time series]
5.296 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - exports
[time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Natural gas - imports
[time series]
3.83 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - production
[time series]
1.144 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Natural gas - proved reserves
[time series]
97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Refined petroleum products - consumption
[time series]
321,700 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Refined petroleum products - exports
[time series]
13,040 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Refined petroleum products - imports
[time series]
154,100 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Refined petroleum products - production
[time series]
187,200 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 756,102 sq km country comparison to the world: 38 land: 743,812 sq km water: 12,290 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Area - comparative
[time series]
slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
Climate
[time series]
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Coastline
[time series]
6,435 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Total water withdrawal
(Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural))
[time series]
total: 26.67 cu km/yr (4%/10%/86%) per capita: 1,603 cu m/yr (2007)
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
30 00 S, 71 00 W
Geography - note
[time series]
the longest north-south trending country in the world, extending across 38 degrees of latitude; strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert - the driest desert in the world - spreads across the northern part of the country; the crater lake of Ojos del Salado is the world's highest lake (at 6,390 m)
Irrigated land
[time series]
11,990 sq km (2003)
Land boundaries
[time series]
total: 7,801 km border countries: Argentina 6,691 km, Bolivia 942 km, Peru 168 km
Land use
[time series]
arable land: 1.74% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 97.65% (2011)
Location
[time series]
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Map references
[time series]
South America
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis volcanism: significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (elev. 5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (elev. 3,125 m) in central Chile, which last erupted in 2009, is another of the country's most active; Chaiten's 2008 eruption forced major evacuations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Cerro Hudson, Copahue, Guallatiri, Llullaillaco, Nevados de Chillan, Puyehue, San Pedro, and Villarrica
Natural resources
[time series]
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower
Terrain
[time series]
low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Total renewable water resources
[time series]
922 cu km (2011)
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aysen, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Capital
[time series]
name: Santiago; note - Valparaiso is the seat of the national legislature geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, under a new pilot program that begins second Sunday in September and ends fourth Sunday in April
Constitution
[time series]
many previous; latest adopted 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended many times, last in 2011 (2011)
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephen M. LISTON embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 330-3000 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Gabriel VALDES Soublette (since 21 May 2014) chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2014); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2014) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 17 November 2013 with a runoff election held on 15 December 2013 (next to be held on 19 November 2017) election results: Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria 62.2%; Evelyn Rose MATTHEI Fornet 37.8%
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design was influenced by the US flag
Government type
[time series]
republic
Independence
[time series]
18 September 1810 (from Spain)
International law organization participation
[time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
[time series]
APEC, BIS, BRICS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (Enhanced Engagement, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
[time series]
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members); Electoral Court (consists of 5 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate; members serve 8-year terms with partial court replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Electoral Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies selected by the Supreme Court; member term NA subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
Legal system
[time series]
civil law system influenced by several West European civil legal systems; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Tribunal
Legislative branch
[time series]
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 13 December 2009 (next to be held in November 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 December 2009 (next to be held in November 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 9 (PDC 4, PPD 3, PS 2), APC 9 (RN 6, UDI 3); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 58 (UDI 37, RN 18, other 3), CPD 57 (PDC 19, PPD 18, PS 11, PRSD 5, PC 3, other 1), PRI 3, independent 2; note - as of 19 February 2013, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Senate - seats by party - CPD 19 (PDC 9, PPD 4, PS 5, PRSD 1), Coalition for Change (former APC) 16 (RN 8, UDI 8), independent 2, MAS 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - Coalition for Change (former APC) 56 (UDI 39, RN 17), CPD 53 (PDC 19, PPD 18, PS 11, PRSD 5), independent 5, PC 3, PRI 2, IC 1
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Himno Nacional de Chile" (National Anthem of Chile)
National holiday
[time series]
Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
National symbol(s)
[time series]
huemul (mountain deer); Andean condor
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Broad Social Movement or MAS [Alejandro NAVARRO Brain] Citizen Left or IC Equality Party [Lautaro GUANCA Vallejos] Coalition for Change or CC (also known as the Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC) (including National Renewal or RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena], and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Patricio MELERO] Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ignacio WALKER Prieto], Party for Democracy or PPD [Jaime Daniel QUINTANA Leal], Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia], and Socialist Party or PS [Osvaldo ANDRADE Lara]) Communist Party of Chile (Partido Comunista de Chile) or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle] Ecological Green Party [Cristian VILLAROEL Novoa] Humanist Party or PH [Danilo MONTEVERDE Reyes] Independent Regionalist Party or PRI [Carlos OLIVARES Zepeda] Progressive Party or PRO [Marco ENRIQUEZ-OMINAMI Gumucio]
Political parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
Roman Catholic Church, particularly conservative groups such as Opus Dei United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations other: university student federations at all major universities
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the Inca ruled northern Chile while the Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche were brought under central government control. After a series of elected governments, the three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was inaugurated in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation. In January 2014, Chile assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2014-15 term.
Military
Manpower available for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 4,324,732 females age 16-49: 4,251,954 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 3,621,475 females age 16-49: 3,561,099 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
[time series]
male: 141,500 female: 135,709 (2010 est.)
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes Naval Aviation, Marine Corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2011)
Military expenditures
[time series]
2.04% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 38 2.17% of GDP (2011) 2.04% of GDP (2010)
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment of males 18-45 is retained; service obligation is 12 months for Army and 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2012)
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 1,834,247/female 1,760,315) 15-24 years: 16.3% (male 1,442,610/female 1,383,738) 25-54 years: 43.2% (male 3,733,261/female 3,766,912) 55-64 years: 9.9% (male 806,044/female 910,818) 65 years and over: 9.7% (male 720,681/female 1,005,268) (2014 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
13.97 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Child labor - children ages 5-14
[time series]
total number: 82,882 percentage: 3 % (2003 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
0.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 135
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
64.2% note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2006)
Death rate
[time series]
5.93 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Demographic profile
[time series]
Chile is in the advanced stages of demographic transition and is becoming an aging society - with fertility below replacement level, low mortality rates, and life expectancy on par with developed countries. Nevertheless, with its dependency ratio nearing its low point, Chile could benefit from its favorable age structure. It will need to keep its large working-age population productively employed, while preparing to provide for the needs of its growing proportion of elderly people, especially as women - the traditional caregivers - increasingly enter the workforce. Over the last two decades, Chile has made great strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. However, its severe income inequality ranks as the worst among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Unequal access to quality education perpetuates this uneven income distribution. Chile has historically been a country of emigration but has slowly become more attractive to immigrants since transitioning to democracy in 1990 and improving its economic stability (other regional destinations have concurrently experienced deteriorating economic and political conditions). Most of Chile's small but growing foreign-born population consists of transplants from other Latin American countries, especially Peru.
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 45.1 % youth dependency ratio: 30.2 % elderly dependency ratio: 14.9 % potential support ratio: 6.7 (2014 est.)
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 91.3% of population total: 98.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 8.7% of population total: 1.2% of population (2012 est.)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
4.5% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 90
Ethnic groups
[time series]
white and non-indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3% (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
0.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
38,700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Health expenditure
(Health expenditures)
[time series]
7.5% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 74
Hospital bed density
[time series]
2 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 7.02 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 161 male: 7.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Languages
[time series]
Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2% note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 78.44 years country comparison to the world: 52 male: 75.42 years female: 81.59 years (2014 est.)
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 98.6% female: 98.5% (2009 est.)
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
SANTIAGO (capital) 6.034 million; Valparaiso 883,000; Concepcion 770,000 (2011)
Maternal mortality ratio
(Maternal mortality rate)
[time series]
25 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 131
Median age
[time series]
total: 33.3 years male: 32.2 years female: 34.6 years (2014 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
[time series]
23.7 (2004 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean
Net migration rate
[time series]
0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
29.4% (2008) country comparison to the world: 30
Physician density
(Physicians density)
[time series]
1.03 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Population
[time series]
17,363,894 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.84% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Religions
[time series]
Roman Catholic 66.7%, Evangelical or Protestant 16.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 3.4%, none 11.5%, unspecified 1.1% (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 89.3% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 10.7% of population total: 1.1% of population (2012 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2012)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.84 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
(Unemployment, youth ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 16.3% country comparison to the world: 80 male: 14.3% female: 19.1% (2012)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 89.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.09% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian natural gas; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru; in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur)
Illicit drugs
[time series]
transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine (2008)
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
481 (2013) country comparison to the world: 15
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 90 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 24 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
[time series]
total: 391 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 319 (2013)
Heliports
[time series]
1 (2013)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 42 country comparison to the world: 74 by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 5, chemical tanker 7, container 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Norway 1) registered in other countries: 52 (Argentina 6, Brazil 1, Honduras 1, Isle of Man 9, Liberia 9, Panama 14, Peru 6, Singapore 6) (2010)
Pipelines
[time series]
gas 3,160 km; liquid petroleum gas 781 km; oil 985 km; refined products 722 km (2013)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
major seaport(s): Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso
Railways
[time series]
total: 7,082 km country comparison to the world: 28 broad gauge: 3,435 km 1.676-m gauge (850 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,647 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways
[time series]
total: 77,764 km country comparison to the world: 61 paved: 18,119 km (includes 2,387 km of expressways) unpaved: 59,645 km (2010)